The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-04

held SO beautifula creature. The sorrowful
look upon the lovely brunette face touched
his manly heart. He reproached himself
for his GOODNESS toward her. He took her
hand, and, pressing it warmly within his
own, said;
81 freely forgive you, Miss Norris
Nothing would give me more pleasure than
that we should become friends, and while he
was speaking Florine saw an expression OF
joy light up his face.
Il trust, sir, you will not think me un-
womanly for approaching you thus after
your naughty conduct toward me-
"Unwomanly to ask the forgiveness OF
QUE you have wronged p demanded our hero,
quickly "If had wounded your feelings
by an act of rudenesS, and desired now TO
win your friendship, would you think me
unmanly if | were to ask your pardon for
the pain my rudeneSS had intiicteds l dare
say you would not Then why should |
think you unwomaply for what you have
done! | assure you, Miss Norris, that you
pursued the only course by which you and
| could ever have become friendss | am not
one of those pitiable, weak-minded men,
who, having been repulsed by woman,
will afterward fawn meekly at her feet.
Your conduct this afternoon proves you to
be woman of noble impulse--a woman
not too proud to ask the forgiveness of one
she has insulted."
Virgil, after pause, continued:
81 repeat, Miss Morriss, you have my full
forgiveness. | am willing we should be-
come friends-warm, lasting friends. 1t
is my desire to livein friendship with all my
fellow-creatures.n
As he finished speaking he again pressed
her hand. At the sound of the musical,
masculine voice and the touch of the soft
white hand thrill of delight traversed the
girls soul. Then and there the truth
dawned upon her mind-she was no longer
mistress of her own heart. That heart,
which so many men had vainly sought to
win, lay, figuratively speaking, at the feet of
Virgil Paine, whom she had once so bitterly
despised, and whose heart she had planned
to win only to fling aside as remorselesSly as
she had done with the hearts of other men.
Charlie watched the two with a delight
ed countenance; but look of unmistaka-
BILE vexation was stamped upon Pauline's
face. The pure-hearted girl doubted her
Cousins sincerity. Only two hours ago she
had heard Florine laughingly boast of the
various methods to which she resorted in
order to win the affections of men.
"And her ftigned repentance is the
method to which the designing creature has
resorted in order to make him fall victim
to her charms" said Pauline to herself, and
her tender heart became panied as she
thought of the danger to which Virgil was
exposed. "But Virgil is too noble and
strong minded to ever be caught in her
trap! The idea of his loving so frivolous
and unscrupulousa woman! positively
abSurdW
But what followed convinced her that she
had erred in her opinion of Virgil.
The young lawyer no longer ignored the
presence of her cousin. He accompanied
Florine to a seat and sat down by her side
and in few minutes the two were laugh
ing and chatting gaily together. The rich
clear voice Of the girl, her graceful flow of
language, and the low, sweet peals of
laughter that broke at intervals from her
lips, together with her dark, dazzling
beauty, moved the young lawyers heart as
it had never been moved before
Each seems TO be equally infatuated
with the otherm unused Charlie, as he stood
intently regarding Virgil and Florine. ''Oh,
if it could be so--if they could only love
each other! l am sure the influence of such
man as Virgil would have a most emo
bling effect upon Florine's character"
Isn't it time we were going Charlie? 1t
is almost dark" said Pauline, breaking upon
her cousins reverie. 4
II should say it was time you all was
aguying home" said Mr.. Morriss' coach
man, who at this moment appeared upon
the scene. IF you all young folks amt
afraid yourselves, you mought at least
have some pity on an ole man like me. If
stays in dis here place much longer I'll drop
dead with fright, with de white tombstones
agleaming all around me, de frogs acrack-
ing bones down yonder in de grass, de To-
cuses asinging in de trees, and de river
amoaning like one adying. For Gods
sake, come alongi am in a trimble all
overt Sides, if you don't hurry up, Mr.
'Keefe will have de carriage gates closed on
u.s.
$50 on, Uncle Hiram. We are coming"
said Pauline, linking her arm in Charles.
Come, Virgil and Florine," said the
young minister, touching our hero on the
shoulder. I'VE are going home now"
Saying which, Charlie, accompanied by
Pauline and Milton, descended the path
leading to the road
''They have left us, Miss Florine," said
Virgil, rising a minute later. 81 had no
idea it was so late. 1t is five minutes after
o'clock"
''Is it really as late as that" she cried, as
she arose and placed her arm in his. 1--WE
have have spent delightful half an hour
together"
Indeed we have" answered the infat-
uated young lawyer, gazing in that beauti-
full face raised to his in the summer twi-
light,
Listen at the dismal roar of the rivers and
the chirping of those horrid katy -didsl'
On reaching the carriage, they found
Charlie, Pauline and Milton seated in the
vehicle.
Brother, are you going to ride" in
quired Milton, looking out of the carriage.
''Of course he is going to ride" said
Florine, as Virgil handed her in the vehi-
Gle. Cant you, my dear, jump out and
ride beside Uncle Hiram. You are only a
little boy, and it doesn't matter where you
SIT. If you remain inside, you will subject
us to discomfort
HE shall remain where he is, Florine,"
cried Pauline, with considerable spirit. IF
he is only little boy, do not wish him to
ride outside. prefer to have him remain
inside but I'll see he does not subject you
or Mr.. Paine to the least discomfort. Come
Milton. dear. and sit in Miss Paulie's lap"
HE can sit in my lap" said Charlie,
promptly, as he drew the boy toward him.
''Get in, Virgil There is room enough for
all inside"
mo, | thank you, Charlie Milton may
ride if he wishes to do so, but / prefer to
walk"
AREN'T you going to ride, Mr.. Painep
cried Florine, in tone Of disappointment.
II hope you took no oifense at what i said
to Milton. If he had been my own brother,
/ should have spoken in the same Manner
"You said nothing that could have Of
Tended me, Miss Florine. But decline to
ride ] much prefer to walk. Milton, are
you going to ride or walk? Decide now"
The boy hesitated a second, and then
hastily kissing Pauline and shaking hands
with Charlie leaped to the ground, after